Lamp-bulb placing and removing device



- 1,520,946 H. D. GRINNELL LAMP BULB PL'ACING AND REMOVING DEVICE Filed July 29, 1924 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Dec. 30, 1924.

H. D. GRINNELl LAMP BULB PLACING AND REMOVING DEVICE 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed July 29, 251

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Patented Dec. 30, 1924.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

HAROLD D. GRINNELL, OF PITTSFIELD, MASSACHUSETTS. ASSIGNOR TO THE G. C. A. MANUFACTURING COMPANY, OF PITTSFIELD, MASSACHUSETTS, A CORPORATION OF MASSACHUSETTS.

LAMP-BULB PLACING AND REMOVING DEVICE.

Application filed July 29, 1924. Serial No. 728,862.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that, I, HAROLD D. GRINNELL, a citizen of the United States, and a resident of Pit-tsfield, in the county of Berkshire and State of Massachusetts, have invented an Improvement in Lamp-Bulb Placing and Removing Devices, of which the following description, in connection with the accompanying drawings, is a specification, like characters on the drawings representing like parts.

This invention relates to apparatus for placing and removing incandescent electric lamp bulbs and aims to provide novel and improved means for manually performing these operations, and particularly with respect to lamps associated with reflectors and mounted in elevated positions.

(The invention will best be understood from a description of a specific useful embodiment thereof, illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein,

Figure 1 is a side elevation of the device operatively applied to an approved type r of lamp, the clamping arms of the device being shown in the gripping position and engaging the lamp socket immediately above the lamp bulb;

Fig. 2, a front elevation of the device when detached from the'lamp and in the normal or closed position, and

Fig. 3, a detail longitudinal section on a median line through the clamping arms showing the arms expanded to the limits of the open position, the relative position of the arms in the gripping position being shown in dotted lines.

The device herein shown is illustrated in connection with a lamp, lamp-shade and combination holder for supporting the lamp and lamp-shade, all of a usual and approved type in common use. The holder 10 supports a porcelain slip-socket 11 into which the lamp bulb 12 is screwed, the bulb and socket being removed as a unit and replaced in like manner. The lamp-shade or reflector 13 is usually provided centrally with a relativelynarrow extension portion 14 enclosing the reduced portion of the lamp bulb and by means of which it is detachably connected to and supported by the holder 10.

The limited space intervening the neck of the reflector and the lamp bulb in this standard or usual equipment hampers the end of a rod or holder 16 by means of a pair of links 17, 17 designed to movably support the clamp in offset relation to the holder. These links which are four in number are arranged in pairs at opposite ends of a horizontal head or cross piece 18 secured in fixed position to the upperend of the holder 16, each pair of links being pivoted at its lower end to the cross head 18 and extending upward in divergent relation for attachment to angularly arranged extension members 19, 19 laterally provided on the clamps l5.

The upper ends of the clamps 15 are thus free to be moved towardand away from each other for the purpose of engaging and disengaging the lamp socket 11 which is usually provided on its! lower perimeter with an annular ridge or shoulder 20 adapted to form a suitable medium to be grasped by the clamps. clamps at this point are made arcuate in cross-section and are also expanded laterally and provided with a horizontally arranged slot 21 for the reception of a segment of the shoulder 20 when in the closed position.

The clamps 15 in longitudinal section, as best shown in Fig. 3, are preferably curved slightly inward immediately below the socket 11 and then outward following somewhat the enlarged proportions of the lamp bulb, below which they again curve inward,

and finally at their lower extremities in a slight outward curvature, forming feet 22. The body portion of these clamps is hollowf or spoon-shaped, measurably conforming in outline to the shape of the lamp-bulb and adapted to receive .and freely enclose the same at all points. In cross sectional dimensions as shown. in Fig. 2, the clam s have-their greatest width centrally an are restricted at both extremities, the lower, end being .more gradually reduced and more extensive. The clamps To this end the a maybe reinforced on their rear faces .preferably on the body portion and foot 22by a rib 23.

In actuating the clamps power is applied to their lower extremities through the medium of separate links .24 operating as spreaders, a pair of such links being pivotally attached to each clamp, one at each end of a transversely arranged cross-rod 25 journaled in the foot 22 and carrying bushings 26, 26 (Fig. 2) to actas spacing members on each side of the foot 22. The outer ends of the links 24 on corresponding sides of each clamp are pivotally connected together, the links being thus arranged in angular relation to each other.

These links 24 are effective to spread the clamps'tor receivin the lamp bulb and in the performance of this function the lower ends of the clamps, including the portion adapted to receive the enlarged portion of the lamp bulb, are expanded more "freely and extensively than the upper ends owing to the restraining influence of the links 17 which operate to regulate and limit the outward swing of 'the clamps at and above the points of attachment otthe links. Thus, in the operation of removing the lamp bulb the clamps are expanded the maximum distance to insure sufficient space at all points includ'in the upper extremities to pass freely over ti enlarged portion of the bulb. After the bulb has been partially introduced the clamps are then closed sufliciently to permit the insertion of their free or gripping ends through the restricted annular space between the reflector and the walls of the lam bulb at the entrance of the neck 14. i The forward movement or" the clamps is then continued during a temporary suspension of the closing action and until their free ends are placed in position for gripping the lamp socket, at which time the closing movement is completed by the actual engagement of the ridge 20 by the clamps.

In withdrawing the clamps from the reflecto'r and therewith also the socket and light-bulb no relative movement of the clamps is, of course, required, but in withdrawal of the clamps after replacing the bulb and socket in operative position it then becomes necessary to reverse the action 3 of the clamps above described, that is to say, first to spread'tlie clamps sufficiently to disengage thesocket, next to withdraw the gripping end from the neckoi the reflector, then to spread the clamps to the maximum limits in order to slip freely over the enlarged end of the bulb, and finally to allow the clamps to be brought into the'closed position again.

These several operations involve a pivoal action of the clamps on the holding links at thefulcruin points 19 which is predetermined in time and degree, owing to the restricted space between the bulb and the neck of the reflector, and this action is accomplished principally through the cooperative relationship of the holding links 17, the spreaders 24 and the clamps them selves, the movements of these parts being induced and controlled by suitable means, as will be more fully hereinafter described.

As suitable means for applying power through the links 24 to spread the clamps 15, I prefer to provide a pull bar 27 disposed directly over the connected outer ends of the links 24 on each side of the clamps 15, said bar being supported by and connected to the upper ends of a pair of upright parallel arms 28, one pair on each side of the clamps 15, arranged to bear movably against the inner face of the links 24 and on opposite sides of a, bur-red pivot 29 connecting the outer ends of said links. Carried. on the inner end of said pin 29 and interposed between the arms 28 and the holding links 17 is a spacing plate 30 which is arranged in the plane of the bar 27 and adapted to be engaged by the bar in the course of its downward movements, thereby in turn actuating the links 24 downward to spread the clamps.

Suitable means are provided to restrain and limit the outward swing of the holding links 17 in the operation of spreading the clamps 15 and, likewise, to actuate these links toward one another in the closing action. This I accomplish by the provision of a sliding frame enclosing the links 17 and comprising parallel side plates arranged on opposite sides of the links, one of these plates being the bar 27 which is extended at opposite ends beyond the arms 28 and secured terminally by pintles 31, 31 to the remaining plate 32, suitable anti-friction spacing rollers 33 being journaled on the pintles;

To limit the downward movements of the 7 arms 28 and consequently the spread of the clamps 15 in the opening movement, the lower end of the spacing plates 30 is ex tended downward a suitable length to contact with the exposed stem portion of screws 34, which are carried in the ends of the cross head 18 and secure the lower ends of the holding links 17 in position. A suitable spacing washer 35 carried on each of the scrcws'34 may be inserted between the arms 28 and the holding links 17, while a stud 36 is preferably provided on each of the spacing plates 30 or projection into thespace between the arms 28 to prevent rotary action and displacement of these plates.

The arms 28 are actuated downward to spread the "clamps 15 by means of a pull cord 37 extended indefinitely downward to a point within reach of the operator. This cord is preferably bifurcated at its upper end for attachment to apertured lugs 38 carried on the lower ends of two rods 39, 39 arranged on opposite sides of the handle 16 and secured at their upper ends to an apertured yoke freely enclosing the handle 16 and uniting the lower ends of the arms 28, which are carried downward below the cross-head l8 and inclined inward.

The normal position of the arms 28. as shown in Fig. 2, corresponding to the closed position of the clamps 15 is maintained by a 'helically wound contraction spring 41 enclosed within the upper end of the tubular handle 16 and suitably connected at opposite ends to the cross head 18 (Fig. 3) and a transversely arranged bar 12 extending through and beyond the handle 16 and se cured at opposite ends to the lugs 38, suitable longitudinally extended slots 13 being provided therefor in the wall of the handle. Thus downward movement of the arms 28 or spreading of the clamps 15 requires sufficient force to overcome the resistance of the spring 41.

The arms 28 are extended well above the spreader links 2% whereby a limited spreading of the gripping ends of the clamps is permitted as the bar 27 descends and before any force is imparted thereby to the links 24 to spread the lower ends of the clamps. This partial spreading of the upper ends of the clamps is sufficient to permit them to clear the margin of the lamp socket 11 and the rim 20 thereon and is accomplished by the provision of a separate coil contraction spring 44 attached at one end to one of the feet 22 and secured at the opposite end to ears 45 provided at opposite points on the exterior wall of the handle 16, said springs being under tension at all times, which condition is effective to steady the clamps.

The handle 16 is usually of indefinite length and made up of a series of jointed sections titted end to end in any convenient manner as, for example, by complementary metal bushings, illustrated at 16 and preferably titted with a spring latch 17 It should be understood that obvious modifications in the form, structure, arrangement and operation of my device may be made without departing from the scope of the invention.

I claim as my invention:

1. In a device of the class described, in combination, a support, clamping members having free ends adapted to be moved into and out of position for gripping an object, means for movably securing the clamping members to the support, and means for spreading the clamping members at their ends opposite the free ends while niaintaining the relative position of the free ends.

2. In a device of the class described, in

combination, a support, clamping members ciated with said support and clai'nping members whereby the clamping members may be moved toward and away from each other throughout their length.

3. In a device of the class described, in combination,clamping members, a support therefor, and means cooperatively associated with said support and clamping members to spread the clamping members throughout their length, said clamping members being pivoted at an intermediate point in their length.

4. In a device-of the class described, in combination, clamping members, a support therefor, means for spreading the clamping members, and means for tilting the clamping members to vary the extent of spread at either end.. i

'5. In a device of the class describechin con'ibination, a support, clamping members movably secured thereto, and means for spreading the clamping members throughout their length.

6. In a device of the class described, in combination, clamping members, a support therefor, arms pivotally securing the clamping members to the support and control means for spreading and rocking the clamping members, said clamping members being relatively adjustable at opposite ends.

7. In a device of the class described, in combination, a support, arms pivoted to the support, clamping members pivoted at an intermediate point in their length to rock on said arms and having free gripping ends adapted to be moved toward and away from an object, and means for spreading the opposite ends of said clamping members to actuate said gripping ends and simultaneously to rock said clamping members.

8. In a device of the class described, in combination, clamping members, a support therefor, means for spreading the clamping members throughout their length and means for rocking the clamp-ing'members during the spreading action.

9. In a device of the class described, in combination, a support, clamping members arranged in opposing spaced relation beyond the support, means for pivotally securing the clamping members at a point above their middle to the support, said point being maintained at a fixed distance from the support, and means for applying power to the lower ends of the clamping members to actuate the. clamping members including their lower ends toward and away from each other.

10. In a device of the class described, in combination, a support, arms pivotally secured at one end to the support and eX- tending at their opposite ends beyond the support, clamping members arranged in opposing spaced relation and pivoted to rock on said arms in offsetrelation to said support and means cooperating with said arms for spreading said clamping members including their lower ends and for rocking said clamping. members.

11. Ina device of the class described; in combination, a support. clamping members mo-vably secured in offset relation to the support, means for applying power to the lower ends of the clamping members to actuate the clamping members including said lower ends toward and away from each other, and control means cooperating with said actuating means for limiting the movements of the upper ends of the clamping members.

12. In a device of the class described, in combination, a support, clamping members arranged in opposing relation beyond the support and movably secured'thereto, means for spreading the clamping members including their lower ends, and control'means for regulating the movements of the gripping ends of the clamping members.

13. In a device of the class described, in combination, a support, clamping members arranged in opposing spaced relation and pivotally secured to the support, actuating means, and'means for controlling the movements of the clamping members whereby the lower ends of the clamping members are spread to agreater degree than the upper ends.

14-. In a device of the class described, in combination, a support, clamping members pivotally secured in offset relation to and beyond the support, rigidly acting means for spreading the clamping members including their lower ends and automatic means for closing the clamping members.

15. In a device of the class described, in combination, a support, clamping members arranged in opposing spaced relation and pivotally secured to the support, actuating means for spreading the clamping members throughout their length, and means for controlling the movements of the clamping members to vary the angle of relationship during the spreading action.

16. In a device of the class described, in combination, a support, clamping members, means! for pivotally securing the clamping members to the support, including a pair of arms arranged on each side of the clamping members and pivoted at their lowe'r ends to the support, yielding means tending to spread the outer ends of the clamping members, rigidly acting means for spreading the clamping members throughout their length, and auxiliary means for controlling the movements of the upper ends of the clamping members. r

In testimony whereof, I have signed my name to this specification.

HAROLD D. GRINNELL. 

